tertiäärisen

Tertiary refers to the third level or stage in a process, classification, or structure. In many contexts, it denotes a position after primary and secondary. For instance, in education, tertiary education follows primary and secondary schooling and typically includes universities, colleges, and vocational training institutions. It is focused on advanced learning and specialized study.

In economics, the tertiary sector, also known as the service sector, is one of the three main economic sectors. It follows the primary (extraction of raw materials) and secondary (manufacturing) sectors. This sector includes a wide range of activities such as retail, transportation, hospitality, finance, healthcare, and information technology. Its growth is often seen as an indicator of economic development.

The concept of tertiary also appears in chemistry, where it describes an atom bonded to three other atoms. This is relevant in understanding the structure and reactivity of organic molecules. For example, a tertiary alcohol has a hydroxyl group attached to a carbon atom that is itself bonded to three other carbon atoms.

In geology, tertiary refers to a geological period, now largely encompassed within the Paleogene and Neogene periods. This period, which followed the Mesozoic Era, was characterized by significant changes in flora and fauna, including the rise of mammals. The term is still sometimes used informally or in older literature.